Biologists

Biologists study the origin, anatomy, physiology, reproduction and behaviour of living organisms and the ways in which they interact with the environment in which they live.

A bachelor degree in a related science field is needed to work as a Biologist. Many Biologists complete postgraduate studies.

Tasks

Designs and conducts experiments, makes observations and measurements, researches information, analyses data, prepares or supervises the preparation of laboratory reports and scientific papers, presents findings at scientific meetings and conferences, and supervises the work of staff.

Studies the forms and structures of bodily organs and tissues by systematic observation, dissection and microscopic examination.

Investigates the chemical structure and function of living cells and their isolated components, organs and tissues in humans, animals, plants, and micro-organisms.

Examines micro-organisms, such as bacteria, fungi, yeast and their enzymes, and use the knowledge gained to create and develop new, and improve existing, products, materials and processes.

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Life Scientists

$1,794Weekly Pay

Weekly Pay

Earnings are median for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate, before tax, including amounts salary sacrificed. These figures are a guide only and should not be used to determine a wage rate.
Source: ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report.

ModerateFuture Growth

Future Growth

The Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business estimates the likely change in number of workers over the next 5 years. Future growth is the likely percentage change, compared to all other occupations. Possible ratings are

Very strong growth

Strong growth

Moderate growth

Stable

Decline

Average unemploymentUnemployment

Unemployment

A lower unemployment rate shows people who work in this job are less likely to be out of work than people who work in other jobs.

Biologists

290 workersEmployment Size

Employment Size

Employment size is the number of workers who do this as their main job.
Sources: ABS Labour Force Survey (custom trend) for 4-digit occupations (e.g., ANZSCO ID 1112) and 2016 Census for 6-digit occupations (e.g., ANZSCO ID 111211). As the figures come from different sources, the 6-digit figures may not sum to match the 4-digit totals.

Very high skillSkill level rating

Skill Levels

Skill level ratings are based on the range and complexity of job tasks. In general, the higher the skill level, the more formal education and training, previous experience or on-the-job training needed to be good at the job. Entry level jobs often need no prior training or experience. Possible ratings are

Very high skill – 5+ years training or experience, or a Bachelor Degree or higher

High skill – 3+ years training or experience, or an Associate Degree or Diploma

Medium skill – 3+ years training or experience, or a Certificate III/IV

Lower skill – 1+ year of experience, or a Certificate II/III

Entry level – High School or Certificate I

78% Full-Time
Full-Time Share

Full-Time Share

Full-time workers usually work 35 hours or more a week (in all their jobs combined).

42 hours
Average full-time

Average full-time hours

Average full-time hours is the actual hours worked in this job per week, by people who work full-time hours in all of their jobs combined.

37 yearsAverage age

Average age

This is the average age of all workers in this job. See the Prospects page for the full age profile.

49% femaleGender Share

The number of people working as Biologists (in their main job) stayed about the same over 5 years:from 270 in 2011 to 290 in 2016.

Size: This is a very small occupation.

Location: Biologists work in many regions of Australia.

Industries: Most work in Education and Training; Professional, Scientific and Technical Services; and Public Administration and Safety.

Full-time: Many work full-time (78%, higher than the average of 66%).

Hours: Full-time workers spend around 42 hours per week at work (compared to the average of 44 hours).

Age: The average age is 37 years (compared to the average of 40 years).

Gender: 49% of workers are female (compared to the average of 48%).

Employment Outlook

Number of Workers

No data is available for the selected graph for this Occupation.

Weekly Earnings

Weekly Earnings (Before Tax)

No data is available for the selected graph for this Occupation.

Main Industries

Main Employing Industries (% Share)

Main Employing Industries

Industry (% share)

Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Industries are based on the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC 06).

Main Employing Industries

Industry (% share)

Education and Training

58.1

Professional, Scientific and Technical Services

26.4

Public Administration and Safety

6.8

Arts and Recreation Services

3.8

Other Industries

4.9

States and Territories

NSW

VIC

QLD

SA

WA

TAS

NT

ACT

Employment by State and Territory (% Share)

State

Biologists

Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian States and Territories, in this job compared to the all jobs average.

State

Biologists

All Jobs Average

NSW

23.8

31.6

VIC

19.9

25.6

QLD

24.5

20.0

SA

8.2

7.0

WA

13.1

10.8

TAS

2.1

2.0

NT

2.1

1.0

ACT

6.4

1.9

Age Profile

Age Profile (% Share)

Age Bracket

Biologists

Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.

Age Bracket

Biologists

All Jobs Average

All Jobs Average

15-19

0.0

-5.0

5.0

20-24

3.9

-9.3

9.3

25-34

36.7

-22.9

22.9

35-44

29.7

-22.0

22.0

45-54

17.0

-21.6

21.6

55-59

7.8

-9.0

9.0

60-64

3.9

-6.0

6.0

65 and Over

1.1

-4.2

4.2

Education Level

Highest Level of Education (% Share)

Type of Qualification

Biologists

Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.

Type of Qualification

Biologists

All Jobs Average

All Jobs Average

Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate

67.7

-10.1

10.1

Bachelor degree

30.0

-21.8

21.8

Advanced Diploma/Diploma

0.0

-11.6

11.6

Certificate III/IV

0.0

-21.1

21.1

Year 12

2.3

-18.1

18.1

Year 11

0.0

-4.8

4.8

Year 10 and below

0.0

-12.5

12.5

A bachelor degree in a related science field is needed to work as a Biologist. Many Biologists complete postgraduate studies.

Thinking about study or training?

Before starting a course, check it will provide you with the skills and qualifications you need.

Search and compare thousands of higher education courses, and their entry requirements from different institutions across Australia at Course Seeker website.

Compare undergraduate and postgraduate student experiences and outcomes on the QILT website.

Making sense of information and ideas

Looking for changes over time

Comparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.

Researching and investigating

75% Skill level

Looking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.

O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 19-1020.01 - Biologists.

Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.

32
work environment criteria available.

Filter Work Environment

Demands

The physical and social demands workers face most often are shown below.

Electronic mail

100% Important

Use electronic mail.

Indoors, heat controlled

98% Important

Work indoors with access to heating or cooling.

Face-to-face discussions

97% Important

Talk with people face-to-face.

Telephone

97% Important

Talk on the telephone.

Being exact or accurate

89% Important

Be very exact or highly accurate.

Values

Work values are important to a person’s feeling of satisfaction. All six values are shown below.

Achievement

81% Important

Results oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.

Recognition

76% Important

Advancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.

Independence

67% Important

Work alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.

Relationships

62% Important

Serve and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.

Working conditions

62% Important

Job security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.

Support

43% Important

Supportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.

Interests

Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.

Analytical

100% Important

Ideas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.

Practical

57% Important

Practical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

Administrative

48% Important

Following set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.

Enterprising

43% Important

Starting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.

Creative

24% Important

Working with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.

Helping

19% Important

Working with people. Helping or providing service to others.

O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 19-1020.01 - Biologists.